About BuSpar
BuSpar is an anti-anxiety medication that acts on the neurotransmitters
dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin to calm the mind.
It is considered an effective treatment for mild to moderate
anxiety or tension, though should not be used to treat everyday
stress and worry. It may take one to two weeks before you
experience the full benefits of BuSpar treatment.
BuSpar may occasionally be combined with antidepressant medication
to treat certain conditions, but this should proceed with
caution, and only under the advice of a physician. This medication
is not considered to have significant abuse potential.
BuSpar is also accepted for the following uses:
- Control tendencies towards self-injury and aggression in mentally
disabled adults.
- Reduce alcohol cravings in recovering alcoholics.
- Reduce aggression or hyperactivity associated with autism.
- Reduce symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorders.
- Improve sexual function in general anxiety disorder.
- Decreases the urge to smoke.
- May prevent chronic headaches or migraine attacks, reducing
the need for pain medication.
BuSpar is only available by prescription.
BuSpar Side Effects
The most common side effects of BuSpar treatment are usually mild and go away over the course of treatment. If any persist or become bothersome, speak to your doctor. If any unusual side effects occur, be certain to seek medical advice immediately. Go to the emergency room if you suspect an overdose of any medication.
Common BuSpar side effects: drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue,
nausea, overexcitement.
Infrequent BuSpar side effects: depression, dizziness, headache,
heart palpitations, insomnia, lightheadedness, nausea, strange dreams.
Speak to your doctor if any of these conditions occur.
Rare BuSpar side effects: chest pain, confusion, increased
blood pressure, muscle weakness, skin rash, tingling or changes
in touch sensations, uncontrolled movements. With high doses, dysphoria,
muscular rigidity, restlessness, or tremors have occured in some
cases. Speak to your doctor immediately if any of these conditions
occur.
Overdose: Dizziness, fainting, nausea or vomiting, small
pupils, unconsciousness. Seek medical treatment immediately.
Cautions: Because some conditions are contraindications
for BuSpar treatment, and others may require careful monitoring
or a dosage adjustment, inform your doctor if you have any of the
following conditions or a history of them.
- Allergy - Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic
or unusual reaction to BuSpar, this medication may not be right
for you.
- Kidney or Liver Disease - BuSpar may be removed from your body
more slowly, requiring a lower dose.
- Other Medications - If you take any medication that 'may cause
drowsiness', pain medication, medication for depression or anxiety,
Prozac or Sarafem, any type of sedative or tranquilizer, or medication
used to treat mental illness, Parkinson's disease, or a seizure
disorder, inform your doctor before taking BuSpar.
- Sleep Apnea - It's possible that BuSpar can worsen this condition,
consult your doctor about the risks of taking this medication.
BuSpar Interactions
BuSpar is a mild central central nervous system depressant and
should be used cautiously with medications that have similar or
sedative effects. Some medications should not be mixed with BuSpar
treatment, and with others, your doctor may need to adjust the dosage
of one of the medications.
Always consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have a question
about the safety of any drug combination, whether prescription or
over the counter. Speak to a doctor before taking any herbal preparation
that has a sedative or stimulant effect in combination with BuSpar.
Be sure that if you are seeing multiple physicians for different
conditions, they are all aware of any prescription medication you
may have been prescribed by another doctor.
- Alcohol - Do not take alcohol while you are using BuSpar.
- Azole antifungals like Sporanox (itraconazole) or Nizoral (ketoconazole)
may cause BuSpar to build up in the body and increase the risk
of unwanted side effects.
- Benzodiazepines (a class of antidepressants, anti-panic agents,
and muscle relaxants) such as Ativan (lorazepam), Valium
(diazepam), Halcion (triazolam), Restoril (temazepam), Librium(chlordiazepoxide),
Xanax (alprazolam),
Tranxene-SD (clorazepate), Paxipam (halazepam), ProSom (estazolam),
Klonopin (clonazepam)
- Some of these may increase the risk of side effects.
- Calan (verapamil) - May increase risk of side effects from BuSpar.
- Cardizem (diltiazem) - Can increase levels of BuSpar in the
body, speak to your doctor about adjusting your dosages.
- Clozaril (clozapine) - This combination may cause severe low
blood sugar or stomach bleeding. Do not mix these medications.
- Desyrel (trazodone)- May cause toxic buildup in the liver.
- Effexor (venlafaxine) - If taken together, this drug may build
up to toxic levels in the body, or decrease the benefits of BuSpar.
- Ephedra - This herb may decrease the benefits of BuSpar treatment.
Do not combine.
- Erythromycin (possibly other macrolide antibiotics)- This antibiotic
may cause BuSpar to build up in the body and increase the risk
of unwanted side effects.
- Hawthorn - This herb may decrease the benefits of BuSpar treatment.
Do not combine.
- MAO inhibitors - BuSpar must never be mixed with MAO (monoamine
oxidase) inhibitors, a class of antidepressants and antisenility
drugs, such as Eldepryl (selegiline), Furoxone (furazolidone),
Nardil (phenelzine), Marplan (isocarboxazid), or Parnate (tranylcypromine).
This may dangerously increase blood pressure. Do not take BuSpar
withing 2 weeks of starting or stopping these medications.
- Narcotic analgesics of any kind, like Darvon (propoxyphene),
Darvocet (propoxyphene, acetaminophen), Demerol
(meperidine), Codeine, Percocet
(oxycodone, acetaminophen), Vicodin
(hydrocodone, acetaminophen), Vicoprofen (hydrocodone and
ibuprofen) or OxyContin
(oxycodone) may cause oversedation in combination with BuSpar.
- Rifamate (isoniazid), Rifater (rifampin), or Mycobutin (rifabutin)
- May lower levels of BuSpar in the body, decreasing its effectiveness.
Your doctor may need to increase your dose of BuSpar.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Celexa (citalopram), Paxil (paroxetine),
Prozac (fluoxetine), Luvox (fluvoxamine), or Zoloft (sertraline)
may increase serious side effects, possibly even serotonin syndrome,
when used with BuSpar. The combination may need to be avoided,
or your doctor may need to carefully regulate your dosages.
- Serzone (nefazodone) Can increase levels of BuSpar in the body,
speak to your doctor about adjusting your dosages.
- Sleep medication like Ambien
(zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplon), or over the counter sleeping
pills should be used with BuSpar only according to the instructions
of your doctor.
- Street drugs - Some of these may cause oversedation when mixed
with BuSpar, do not mix.
- Tikosyn (dofetilide) - This drug may build up in the body if
taken with BuSpar. Consult your physician about lowering your
dose and monitoring your condition.
- Tranquilizers such as Haldol (haloperidol), Mellaril (thioridazine),
or Thorazine (chlorpromazine) may cause oversedation.
- Valerian - This herb may cause oversedation when mixed with
BuSpar.
- Warfarin (coumadin) - May cause bleeding problems.
BuSpar Dosages
The starting dosage for a typical adult is usually 7.5 mg, taken twice a day. Dosage may be increased by 5 mg per day in 2-3 day increments. BuSpar is usually taken in divided doses, 2-3 times per day, up to a maximum of 60 mg per day. Your doctor will need to determine your dose individually.
BuSpar comes in 5 mg, 10 mg, and scored 15 mg tablets.
BuSpar Directions
Do not increase your dose of BuSpar without instructions from your
doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless
it is almost time for your next dose. Skip the missed dose of BuSpar
and resume your regular schedule. Do not take double doses of this
medication. BuSpar may be mixed with food or taken on its own. The
tablets may be crushed.
Inform your doctor, dentist, or anesthesiologist that you are taking
BuSpar before any kind of surgery or medical test. This medication
may interfere with certain test results. BuSpar should not be
combined with certain medications given during surgery.
Store BuSpar away from direct light and heat. Store in a dry
location; avoid storing it in the bathroom, near sinks, or other
areas where it may become damp. Do not use after the expiration
date.
Keep BuSpar away from children; both when storing it, and when
discarding any unused medication.
This medication may causle dizziness, drowsiness, or light-headedness.
BuSpar and Pregnancy
While BuSpar has not been shown to cause birth defects in animal studies, or to harm nursing infants, it has not been adequately studied in pregnant and nursing women. Discuss your treatment with your doctor if you are planning on becoming pregnant or breastfeeding.
BuSpar and Children
BuSpar has not been studied in individuals under 18 years of age.
BuSpar and Seniors
BuSpar is expected to be a much milder treatment for elderly patients than barbituarates (Seconal, Phenobarbitol, etc.) or benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, etc.). Elderly individuals should still be cautious, however, to watch for signs of oversedation and unsteadiness.
BuSpar is a trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
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This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination, is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
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